Ronco Canavese

Access

Ronco Canavese can be reached along the Valle Soana provincial road, with downstream connections to Pont Canavese (GTT railway terminus on the Turin-Ceres line) and the Turin plain road network. The car remains the most convenient means of transport, but it should be noted that the road network, especially in the winter months, may be subject to limitations or slowdowns due to weather conditions and altimetry. Extra-urban bus services departing from Turin and Cuorgnè can also be used, while the nearest airport is Turin Caselle, about an hour and a half's drive away.

Introduction

Ronco Canavese is a small municipality in the metropolitan city of Turin, located in the upper Soana Valley, in Piedmont, and is the main town in this Alpine valley. The municipal territory, one of the largest in the area, covers an area of about 97 km² and is characterised by a landscape of dense fir forests, striking beech woods and vast high-altitude pastures. The village lies at an altitude of 956 m above sea level, nestled in a picturesque basin on the orographic left of the Soana torrent, and is entirely within the Gran Paradiso National Park, thus offering an environment of high naturalistic value and ample biodiversity.

Description

The name 'Ronco' derives from the Latin 'runcus', indicating cleared land: the first settlements, dating back to the 11th century, were in fact the result of agricultural colonisation of uncultivated land. The historical centre is articulated around the parish church and preserves various valuable architectural details. The historical roots of the community are linked to agro-pastoral activities and the craft tradition, particularly copper working. Over the centuries, Ronco Canavese was subject to the jurisdictions of the Counts of San Martino and - like part of the Piedmontese Alpine valleys - to the vicissitudes of the Monferrato Marquisate and, later, of the House of Savoy. Its position in the valley made it a crossroads of transhumance, trade and seasonal migrations.
A distinctive element of the local culture is the preservation of the Franco-Provençal language, which characterises the entire Soana Valley and represents a precious testimony of historical identity, also handed down through festivals and events. The handicraft tradition survives thanks to initiatives such as the historic copper forge, reopened seasonally with educational workshops and guided tours, and the museum and exhibition centre dedicated to the valley's traditions and biodiversity.
The municipality, with a current population of around 386 inhabitants, thrives on an economy mainly based on livestock farming, dairy production and handicrafts. Tourism is becoming increasingly important due to its natural inclusion in the Gran Paradiso protected area: the numerous hiking trails lead to lateral valleys such as the Vallone di Forzo, known for its rich biodiversity and the presence of historic rural nuclei. The area lends itself to hiking activities, traversing high-altitude environments and practices of slow and conscious tourism. There is no shortage of opportunities to encounter traditions: patron saint's festivals, village festivals and historical re-enactments are particularly popular, helping to keep local customs and traditions alive, including simple dishes linked to alpine cuisine and milk products.
The highest part of the municipal territory reaches 3408 metres with the peak of Gran Paradiso, marking an important geographical divide and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys. The environment, so varied and protected, guarantees the presence of particularly interesting fauna and flora, as well as the possibility of spotting typical Alpine species such as the ibex.

Information

Area: 96.91 km²
Altitude: 956m
Maximum elevation: 3.408m - Punta delle Sengie
Number of inhabitants: 386 (datum 2024)
Name in dialect: Ronc (Piedmontese), Rounc (Franco-Provençal)
Name of inhabitants: ronchesi
Patron Saint: San Giusto martyr
Bordering municipalities: Cogne, Locana, Noasca, Traversella, Valprato Soana
Website: www.comune.roncocanavese.to.it